Computer-aided methods and systems for pattern-based cognition from fragmented material

Abstract

A method for obtaining and analyzing information objects including generating, collecting or discovering information objects. The information objects are signified at least in part using deliberately ambiguated signifier prompts, for example, linear scale opposing negatives or positives, and/or multi-dimensional signifier prompts. The information objects may comprise text or non-text fragments, and may be generated or selected. The responses to the signifier prompts are stored with the fragments to provide a dataset of signified fragments. The signified fragments may be analyzed based on the signifiers and can be utilized as part of an explorable knowledge repository, or objective measures can be created to aid in mass opinion capture or human attitude auditing. The fragments may be represented on a graphical template. In one embodiment, fragment exemplars are identified that exemplify significant locations on the template, and the exemplar signifiers are used to automatically locate other signified fragments on the template.

1. A method for analyzing a large set of data objects by auditing an attitude among a target population comprising:
 providing a first set of information objects to a first group of a target population; 
 providing a deliberately ambiguated signifier prompt to the first group selected from the target population, wherein the deliberately ambiguated signifier prompt comprises a continuum having a plurality of labels and wherein the plurality of labels are identified with particular human attitudes; 
 collecting a first set of responses from the first group characterizing the first set of information objects using the deliberately ambiguated signifier prompt, and analyzing the first set of responses to produce a first quantitative measure-characterizing the first set of responses; 
 storing the first quantitative measure on a computer readable media; 
 providing a second set of information objects to a second group selected from the target population; 
 providing the deliberately ambiguated signifier prompt to the second group; 
 collecting a second set of responses from the second group characterizing the second set of information objects using the deliberately ambiguated signifier prompt, and analyzing the second set of responses to produce a second quantitative measure characterizing the second set of responses; and 
 comparing the first quantitative measure with the second quantitative measure to identify changes in the particular human attitudes of the target population. 
 
     
     
       2. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the target population comprise stakeholders of an organization. 
     
     
       3. The method of  claim 2 , wherein the stakeholders are employees of the organization. 
     
     
       4. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the first and second sets of information objects comprise textual information objects. 
     
     
       5. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the first group and the second group comprise the same individuals. 
     
     
       6. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the labels specifying particular human attitudes are directed to a level of employee satisfaction of the target population. 
     
     
       7. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the labels specifying particular human attitudes are directed to attitudes related to safety procedures. 
     
     
       8. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the labels specifying particular human attitudes are directed to ethics. 
     
     
       9. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the deliberately ambiguated signifier prompt comprises a two-dimensional figure, and wherein individual information objects are characterized on the two-dimensional figure by identifying a positions on the two-dimensional figure. 
     
     
       10. The method of  claim 1  further comprising supplementing the first and second sets of responses with additional signification of the information objects. 
     
     
       11. The method of  claim 10 , wherein the additional signification of the information object comprises a characteristic of the first group member providing the response to the information object. 
     
     
       12. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the deliberately ambiguated signifier prompt comprises a linear scale having paradoxical labels wherein the paradoxical labels specify undesirable attributes. 
     
     
       13. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the first and second sets of information objects are identical. 
     
     
       14. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the first and second sets of information objects comprise pictures. 
     
     
       15. The method of  claim 1 , further comprising repeating the steps of providing information objects to groups selected from the target population, collecting responses, analyzing responses to produce a quantitative measure characterizing the responses, and comparing the quantitative measure with previous quantitative measures on a periodic basis.